Remote work advice for the diversified Devon Temple

Chicago – Diversified Marketing Systems Manager Devin Temple with Trade Fair Director Share his strategies for successful work.

Andrew: When did you start working remotely? How were your first few months?

German: After three years in the office, I returned to diversity and became a completely remote employee and I quickly realized that staying in touch was impossible – it was crucial.

Regular check-in, laugh-filled coffee chats, and various collaboration tools have allowed me to interact with the team as I did before. Even from a distance, the work I do directly impacts the customer experience of our face-to-face events, demonstrating that strong connections and effective teamwork are not related to physical proximity, but involves participation, communication, and a shared commitment to success.

Andrew: What are the advantages of remote work?

German: The biggest career in remote work is flexibility. I can optimize my work hours based on my work hours, rather than building my own day around rigid commuting schedules and lack of family-level facilities.

Controlling my schedule also makes it easier to maintain a strong work-life balance. The ability to pause and grab snacks, take quick walks and even walk away helps keep my attention sharp when it’s minimally damaged.

Andrew: What are the disadvantages?

German: The biggest drawback of remote work is the potential for isolation. Without active efforts to stay engaged, it is easy to be disconnected from colleagues and the wider organization.

Communication requires more attention. Where office conversations rely on intonation and body language, remote workers often have to pay more attention to how they communicate information in emails and chats.

Juggling multiple communication channels can add another layer of complexity and maintain a healthy work-life balance when your home and office are in the same space.

While having a dedicated workspace can help, not everyone has this choice, making setting boundaries and creating routines that are separate from their personal time more important.

Related. Paul Pedrow, Vice President, Remote Work DOS and Restaurant Events

Andrew: Did you learn the course to be an effective remote worker?

German: Routines, routines, routines! Most of us have structured working hours, but building deeper habits within that window makes a huge difference.

Consistent lunch breaks help plan in-depth work and team meetings, while intentional breaks (as I mentioned earlier) prevent burnout and improve clarity, especially on the busiest days.

Andrew: What are the misunderstandings about remote work?

German: One of the biggest misconceptions is that remote workers are less productive. Many people, myself, find that they are more productive outside of traditional office environments because of their interference and more control over the environment.

Nevertheless, many companies have been following a return policy because face-to-face work leads to better collaboration and performance. Despite the benefits of face-to-face interaction, the past few years have proven that remote work is not only feasible, but also a sustainable option for many industries.

Another common myth is that working remotely means complete flexibility – while there is often more autonomy, most roles still require structured time, deadlines and collaboration to keep the team consistent.

Finally, some people think remote work is easier than in the office, but in reality, it requires strong self-discipline, motivation, and intentional communication to stay effective.

Andrew: What key strategies do you use to stay effective when working remotely?

German: For me, time blocking is the biggest game-changer. Arrangement of work durations with focus helps minimize distractions and keep my priorities on track.

I also rely on communication tools such as digital whiteboards, collaborative knowledge bases, and scrum boards to align with my team without being associated with constant meetings.

Regular check-in with colleagues helps maintain collaboration and engagement, while setting clear boundaries (such as hard start and stop times), making sure the work doesn’t bleed.

Andrew: What strategies did you avoid?

German: I avoid working on the sofa or bed because it blurs the line between relaxation and professionalism. I also make sure not to ignore communication, assuming people know what I’m doing will lead to mistakes.

Another pitfall I actively avoided overloaded my schedule. Without structured rest, burnout happens very quickly, so I prioritize staying effective for a long time.

Andrew: How do you keep in touch with colleagues and/or networks with remote workers?

German: Building a relationship requires additional effort in a remote environment, so I pointed out to schedule a virtual coffee chat and check-in. Participating in industry events and webinars has allowed me to interact with the larger professional community while actively engaging in team culture (whether through team discussions, virtual coffee chats, or knowledge sharing courses) helps to stay connected.

In addition, I stay in touch by participating in my own events, which not only provides face-to-face for colleagues, but also provides opportunities to connect with clients.

Participating in internal initiatives, such as Diversified’s Employee Activities Committee, also allows me to contribute to strategies that ensure remote employees continue to feel and motivated.

Andrew: Do you want to add anything else?

German: Remote work continues to develop and succeed, requiring continuous learning and adaptation. While this is not a cookie-cutter solution, it can be very beneficial both professionally and personally.

The key is to communicate intentionally, productivity strategies and, most importantly, personal well-being.

Want more of this? Subscribe to TSE’s monthly Young Professional Newsletter for case studies on hot topics, resource summary and Q&A, and industry leaders delivered to your inbox.